Introvert or Extrovert?

Not too long ago I read Susan Cain’s Book at the suggestion of two family members. Lifechanging! Up until that point, I thought I knew the difference between extrovert and introvert. We all know that introverts are shy, right?

I always thought that I had “overcome” my childhood introversion and evolved into an extrovert. After reading this book, I realized that I never stopped being an introvert; I just learned to to adapt. Introversion is not the same as being shy. I appear to be able to talk to pretty much anyone. Therefore, most people would not describe me as being particularly shy.

Although, I can socialize in any setting, I actually prefer small groups and conversations that are deeper. Small talk is painful for me. I absolutely can socialize, but then I need solitude to recharge. Being in social settings is very draining for me.

I can’t recommend this book enough. It really helped me to have a better understanding of who I am and what I need in my life.

Click to Buy this Book

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

Amazon Description

The book that started the Quiet Revolution

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.

In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.

Ted Talk Tuesday

This Ted Talk featuring Susan Cain is so uplifting and empowering for introverts.

Taken from Ted.com

“Why you should listen

Susan Cain is a former corporate lawyer and negotiations consultant — and a self-described introvert. At least one-third of the people we know are introverts, notes Cain in her book QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Although our culture undervalues them dramatically, introverts have made some of the great contributions to society — from Chopin’s nocturnes to the invention of the personal computer to Ghandi’s transformative leadership. Cain argues that we design our schools, workplaces and religious institutions for extroverts, and that this bias creates a waste of talent, energy and happiness. Based on intensive research in psychology and neurobiology and on prolific interviews, she also explains why introverts are capable of great love and great achievement, not in spite of their temperament — but because of them.

Quiet Revolution

In 2015 Susan Cain announced the launch of her mission-based organization Quiet Revolution that aims to change the lives of introverts by empowering them with the information, tools and resources they need to survive and thrive.

In the workplace, companies are not fully harnessing the talents of their introverted employees and leadership teams are often imbalanced with many more extroverts than introverts. The Quiet Leadership Institute has worked with companies from LinkedIn to GE to Procter and Gamble to help them achieve their potential by providing learning experiences that unlock the power of introverts.

At the heart and center of the Quiet Revolution is empowering the next generation of children to know their own strengths and be freed from the sense of inadequacy that has shadowed the children of previous generations. Susan’s second book, Quiet Power, is written for teens and young adults but also serves as a tool for teachers and parents. In addition, Susan has created a portal and a online learning experience for the parents of quiet children and has also established the Quiet Schools Network. Susan’s podcast, Quiet: The Power of Introverts debuted in February 2016 as a 10-part series designed to give parents and teachers the tools they need to empower quiet kids.